This course gives an introduction into the world of biological chemistry. The course begins with the molecular design of life—an introduction to proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. These molecules will then be put into context when bioenergetics and metabolism will be discussed. The students will also learn how polypeptides adopt their specific three-dimensional structure to become proteins, and how proteins then fulfill their individual functions in enzyme catalyzed reactions, assist in the formation and function of membranes, and other important cellular processes. The major metabolic pathways will also be introduced. Other topics that will be discussed include biosignaling and hormone action. The students will learn how to apply bioinformatics to obtain useful information about these molecules using databases and will obtain valuable knowledge about state of the art biochemical and molecular biology techniques.

Once every second week there will be a discussion session or tutorial in addition to the two lectures. Here, lecture material can be clarified, study guide questions will be discussed, and quizzes will be given (subject to change).

Grades in this course are based on the performance in a discussion session, projects, four quizzes, and three in-class exams (no midterm or final exams are offered).

Syllabi are available to current LSA students. IMPORTANT: These syllabi are provided to give students a general idea about the courses, as offered by LSA departments and programs in prior academic terms. The syllabi do not necessarily reflect the assignments, sequence of course materials, and/or course expectations that the faculty and departments/programs have for these same courses in the current and/or future terms.